Telephone Operators

What Does a Telephone Operators Do?

Provide information by accessing alphabetical, geographical, or other directories. Assist customers with special billing requests, such as charges to a third party and credits or refunds for incorrectly dialed numbers or bad connections. May handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
• 2Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.
• 3Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
• 4Update directory information.
• 5Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
• 6Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
• 7Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.

Required Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Computer aided dispatch software
• Handheld computer device software
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Word
• Video conference software

Telephone Operators Salary